London Gatwick Airport can almost match the number of passengers at Heathrow airport with the second runways.

Britain’s second busiest airport has unveiled a plan to accommodate 70 million passengers a year by introducing a second runway for daily use, almost as many as are passing Heathrow.
Stewart Wingate, Gatwick’s chief executive, unveiled the draft airport master plan at a meeting of local stakeholders.
At the heart of these proposals are plans to increase the capacity of the world’s busiest runway and to reconfigure the airport’s spare runway for daily use by aircraft taking off.
“More than ever before, Gatwick’s growing global ties are needed, but this must be achieved in the most sustainable way,” Wingate said.
“From the use of new technologies on our main runway to innovative schemes for putting existing spare runways into daily use, our draft master plan provides agility within our existing infrastructure to unleash much-needed new capabilities in a productive and low-impact manner and improve resilience.
Gatwick’s intention is to extract more capacity from the main runway, increasing the number of passengers by a third, from 45.6 million to about 60 million a year today.
However, if the existing reserve runway is moved 12 meters northward and away from the main runway, the two runways can be used simultaneously. To avoid possible problems with the instrument landing system, only use the “new” runway when taking off.
By 2032, the airport will be able to accommodate 70 million passengers.
Heathrow Airport, the site chosen by the government for a new full-length runway, carried 78 million passengers last year.
A 1979 agreement with the West Sussex County Council banned the use of both Gatwick runways by August 2019.
Because of the planning process, the target date of using the “new” second runway is the beginning of the summer of 2025.
The cost may not exceed 500 million pounds.“Crowley’s prosperity depends on the success of Gatwick Airport, and the publication of this new master plan is very helpful to ensure the future development of the town,” said Henry Smith, a local congressman. “I have always supported the development of the airport within the existing boundaries.”
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General of the cbi, said: “London’s airports will be full in the next 10 years, so the CBI welcomes Gatwick’s efficient plan to increase capacity to complement other airport expansion plans.
“This will promote trade and investment, create new jobs, and help British businesses flourish.”
But this has led to widespread opposition.
Peter Barclay, chairman of the Gatwick Regional Conservation Campaign, said: “We strongly oppose Gatwick’s second runway and will oppose this proposal wholeheartedly.
“The proposal could add more than 80,000 flights a year, only adding to the problems already encountered by the local community – noise, air pollution and road traffic.
“It will also put more pressure on the shaky infrastructure of roads and railways, both locally and further afield.”
Sally Pavey, chairman of the community’s campaign against Gatwick’s noise emissions, said: “It’s all a hoax, and it’s a hoax for residents who think they can continue to live after Heathrow wins the runway debate.
“This is a despicable act of the Gatwick management, a clear indication of their contempt for the communities of Sussex, Surrey and Kent.”The airport has carried out a 12 week consultation on the plan.